Our Mold Story
I
n May of 2007 we discovered mold in a bedroom behind a shower stall. No big deal. We hired a company to tear it out and clean it up. They did. In May of 2008 we found another mold problem under an upstairs shower. As we were going through the process, Andrea discovered some information that troubled her. We did an air test in the house and the spore count for "black mold" or "Stachybotrys" was off the charts. As we looked back over the preceding year, the kids were always sick with unexplainable illnesses. The dog was sick. A bird died. This time we had the house remediated correctly and went about trying to get the kids healthy again. But in October, after the illnesses continued, we contacted two experts who said we should vacate the house immediately.
On October 4th, 2008, we left our home and everything in it behind.
That has led us to Arizona to get help for mycotoxicosis, some of the same treatment soldiers who are exposed to Agent Orange get. We are renting a house near Tucson, AZ while we go through the detox process. We are seeing progress in all of the children. Andrea and I are going through the detox along with them.
Our home insurance did not cover mold. The medical insurance we had denied us coverage. We've been on our own in paying for the treatment and starting over again.
The past months have been a nightmare in so many ways and still a testament of the grace and goodness of God. Friends and family have come alongside us in incredible ways. I'm hoping to publish something along these lines in the future.
Some of you have followed this entire journey with us, while many have caught only bits and pieces of the story. Below is a timeline of events with links to key entries from my blog, plus a few audio and video segments, that I hope will outline things more completely. Thanks for your interest and your prayers for our family.
Chris Fabry Live! - October 6, 2008
Fabry Update - October 7, 2008
Last Saturday, as I was coming back from Tricia Boyle McMillan's wedding, Andrea called and said, "We have to get out of the house." Eight little words that changed our lives. (read more)
A New House - October 9, 2008
I just moved all of our worldly possessions from the hotel where we were staying to the home where we'll now rent. It took me 10 minutes to move everything. By myself. (read more)
Update October 11 - October 11, 2008
We moved into a house that has never been lived in Thursday. We are all here now, the six children and two adults. (read more)
Chris with Mark Elfstrand on Mornings, Moody Radio Chicago - October 16, 2008
Answer to Prayer - November 20, 2008
Answer to prayer today. We have a doctor's appointment in Arizona for 2 of our kids who have been struggling with their illnesses related to mold. (read more)
A Shocking Statement - December 12, 2008
I am going to tell you something that shocked me, not because it was outlandish in and of itself, but because it was spoken by the wife of my youth and I NEVER expected her to say this. (read more)
URGENT Update - December 18, 2008
Monday we tested my office for mold spores. I wear a chemical splash suit every day I walk in there. I had thought that I was okay working in the office because there are no common vents from the house. As usual, I was wrong. (read more)
Back from AZ - December 29, 2008
I usually try to put a nice spin on things, looking at the positive rather than the negative, but Christmas week was not what I had hoped. (read more)
By Popular Demand... - January 7, 2009
Here it is, my new broadcast home, in a camper in front of the home we vacated in October. This is the Fabry International Mobile Broadcasting Network. (read more)
Aflatoxins - January 21, 2009
Andrea called from the doctor's office in Arizona to give me an update and to let me hear the consult. I've never heard so many words I didn't understand. She and the kids are going through a detox process from the exposure to our toxic mold. (read more)
Outside, Looking In - January 23, 2009
We finally took the plunge yesterday and hired an enviro company to test the entire "old" house. We believe this information will help us determine what will need to be done to make the home habitable again, or if we will need to simply destroy it. (read more)
This Is Really Happening - January 27, 2009
I know this move to Arizona is really happening because I just changed my address. Actually, we'll have our mail forwarded to Arizona for a while, until we can return. (read more)
From Bad to Worse - February 3, 2009
If any of what you're about to read comes off as whining, forgive me. I do not mean to whine. This has just become such an unmitigated personal disaster that I can't believe what I'm about to write. (read more)
Another Setback - February 12, 2009
I felt a little lighter yesterday because after a long search we had finally found a house that passed all the tests we could throw at one. (read more)
I Found It - February 16, 2009
I just signed a 6 month lease on a house in a remote section, outside the city limits of Tucson. It's small. It's remote. Did I say it was remote? (read more)
A Victory - February 25, 2009
You knew there had to be some good news coming, and today feels like we turned a corner. (read more)
Overwhelmed - March 10, 2009
I gauge my spiritual health by what I allow to overwhelm me. Whether it's financial or relational or some work deadline imposed (or that I impose), whatever causes me to doubt and fear and tremble shows who I'm trusting in. It shows whether I'm looking down or up. (read more)
Sunsets - April 8, 2009
It's been a difficult couple of days at the Cactus Compound and Detox Center. More physical challenges for the children, an impending hearing with the health care provider that has denied us coverage is coming up, some tough memories that flood over us, and bills. I hate bills. (read more)
Hearing - April 15, 2009
Andrea and I made an impassioned plea to our medical insurance company this morning. We had been preparing for this hearing for weeks. (read more)
Quick Update - April 27, 2009
We finally received word from the health insurer that we were denied coverage again. This was not unexpected, but still difficult news. (read more)
Nine Years - June 9, 2009
I wrote about fences last weekend, nostalgic for some reason about our house. I didn’t realize why, but I do now. Today is the 9th anniversary of our move to Colorado. (read more)
Chris & Andrea with Anita Lustrea & Melinda Schmidt, Midday Connection - June 25, 2009
Asking, Seeking, Knocking - July 7, 2009
We looked at a beautiful home last night. Perfect for us. Our lease is up at the end of July. We're scrambling, and have been scrambling to find something we can live in. (read more)
For Everything There Is a Season - July 25, 2009
Yesterday, we signed a lease on a house that has never been lived in. We’re going to rent it for a year while the court proceedings continue for our house in Colorado. (read more)
Family Update - July 28, 2009
Andrea wrote some friends in our old hometown to give them an update on our progress. It helps us to take a hard look at our situation. And it shows our progress. I thought you might like to peek over our shoulder and take a look at what we've told to friends who have been so dear to us. (read more)
Chris & Andrea with Anita Lustrea & Melinda Schmidt, Midday Connection - August 11, 2009
The Move - August 16, 2009
I don’t know of any experience more exhausting or rewarding than moving from one place to another. I don’t envy people in the military who move every year or two. This is not how God made us, but this is where He has us, moving from one camp to another. (read more)
Ugh - September 11, 2009
Yesterday our worst fears were realized. The mold plates we put in the new house we had lived in for less than a month have come back positive. Our doctor said there must be remediation in the home or that we should vacate. (read more)
The Best Weapon - September 14, 2009
In our last thrilling installment of the Fabry Mold Mystery, we learned that the Fabrys were in mortal danger, spiraling downward toward another home disaster, sure that they were again hounded by the evil Mold Monster! (read more)
Test Results - September 15, 2009
We received the news about the new house, the elevated mold levels, and whether we will have to vacate this present home…. cue drumroll… (read more)
It's Not About Us Anymore - September 23, 2009
Our landlord sent us a lease termination letter. I don’t think this is legal. I've tried to be nice and sent them a letter explaining why we needed the mold test, but they say if I don't sign a lien, we're out. (read more)
Withdrawn - September 25, 2009
I've never much liked the word, "withdrawn." It sounds elusive, exclusive, and is used to describe someone who is not social. But yesterday I came to love the word. (read more)
One Year Ago - October 5, 2009
Oh, the difference a year can make. If you had told me last year in July or even in September that our family would leave our home, lose most of our worldly possessions, and live in five different houses in two states, I would have said you were crazy. No way. Can’t happen. (read more)
Fabry Update - November 13, 2009
Yesterday, Kevin Leman was here for the program, and in the breaks he was asking about the children that he passed when he walked through our rental house here at the Cactus Compound and Detox Center. “So, what’s the prognosis?” (read more)
CBN News Story - December 9, 2009
n May of 2007 we discovered mold in a bedroom behind a shower stall. No big deal. We hired a company to tear it out and clean it up. They did. In May of 2008 we found another mold problem under an upstairs shower. As we were going through the process, Andrea discovered some information that troubled her. We did an air test in the house and the spore count for "black mold" or "Stachybotrys" was off the charts. As we looked back over the preceding year, the kids were always sick with unexplainable illnesses. The dog was sick. A bird died. This time we had the house remediated correctly and went about trying to get the kids healthy again. But in October, after the illnesses continued, we contacted two experts who said we should vacate the house immediately.
On October 4th, 2008, we left our home and everything in it behind.
That has led us to Arizona to get help for mycotoxicosis, some of the same treatment soldiers who are exposed to Agent Orange get. We are renting a house near Tucson, AZ while we go through the detox process. We are seeing progress in all of the children. Andrea and I are going through the detox along with them.
Our home insurance did not cover mold. The medical insurance we had denied us coverage. We've been on our own in paying for the treatment and starting over again.
The past months have been a nightmare in so many ways and still a testament of the grace and goodness of God. Friends and family have come alongside us in incredible ways. I'm hoping to publish something along these lines in the future.
Some of you have followed this entire journey with us, while many have caught only bits and pieces of the story. Below is a timeline of events with links to key entries from my blog, plus a few audio and video segments, that I hope will outline things more completely. Thanks for your interest and your prayers for our family.
Chris Fabry Live! - October 6, 2008
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
Fabry Update - October 7, 2008
Last Saturday, as I was coming back from Tricia Boyle McMillan's wedding, Andrea called and said, "We have to get out of the house." Eight little words that changed our lives. (read more)
A New House - October 9, 2008
I just moved all of our worldly possessions from the hotel where we were staying to the home where we'll now rent. It took me 10 minutes to move everything. By myself. (read more)
Update October 11 - October 11, 2008
We moved into a house that has never been lived in Thursday. We are all here now, the six children and two adults. (read more)
Chris with Mark Elfstrand on Mornings, Moody Radio Chicago - October 16, 2008
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
Answer to Prayer - November 20, 2008
Answer to prayer today. We have a doctor's appointment in Arizona for 2 of our kids who have been struggling with their illnesses related to mold. (read more)
A Shocking Statement - December 12, 2008
I am going to tell you something that shocked me, not because it was outlandish in and of itself, but because it was spoken by the wife of my youth and I NEVER expected her to say this. (read more)
URGENT Update - December 18, 2008
Monday we tested my office for mold spores. I wear a chemical splash suit every day I walk in there. I had thought that I was okay working in the office because there are no common vents from the house. As usual, I was wrong. (read more)
Back from AZ - December 29, 2008
I usually try to put a nice spin on things, looking at the positive rather than the negative, but Christmas week was not what I had hoped. (read more)
By Popular Demand... - January 7, 2009
Here it is, my new broadcast home, in a camper in front of the home we vacated in October. This is the Fabry International Mobile Broadcasting Network. (read more)
Aflatoxins - January 21, 2009
Andrea called from the doctor's office in Arizona to give me an update and to let me hear the consult. I've never heard so many words I didn't understand. She and the kids are going through a detox process from the exposure to our toxic mold. (read more)
Outside, Looking In - January 23, 2009
We finally took the plunge yesterday and hired an enviro company to test the entire "old" house. We believe this information will help us determine what will need to be done to make the home habitable again, or if we will need to simply destroy it. (read more)
This Is Really Happening - January 27, 2009
I know this move to Arizona is really happening because I just changed my address. Actually, we'll have our mail forwarded to Arizona for a while, until we can return. (read more)
From Bad to Worse - February 3, 2009
If any of what you're about to read comes off as whining, forgive me. I do not mean to whine. This has just become such an unmitigated personal disaster that I can't believe what I'm about to write. (read more)
Another Setback - February 12, 2009
I felt a little lighter yesterday because after a long search we had finally found a house that passed all the tests we could throw at one. (read more)
I Found It - February 16, 2009
I just signed a 6 month lease on a house in a remote section, outside the city limits of Tucson. It's small. It's remote. Did I say it was remote? (read more)
A Victory - February 25, 2009
You knew there had to be some good news coming, and today feels like we turned a corner. (read more)
Overwhelmed - March 10, 2009
I gauge my spiritual health by what I allow to overwhelm me. Whether it's financial or relational or some work deadline imposed (or that I impose), whatever causes me to doubt and fear and tremble shows who I'm trusting in. It shows whether I'm looking down or up. (read more)
Sunsets - April 8, 2009
It's been a difficult couple of days at the Cactus Compound and Detox Center. More physical challenges for the children, an impending hearing with the health care provider that has denied us coverage is coming up, some tough memories that flood over us, and bills. I hate bills. (read more)
Hearing - April 15, 2009
Andrea and I made an impassioned plea to our medical insurance company this morning. We had been preparing for this hearing for weeks. (read more)
Quick Update - April 27, 2009
We finally received word from the health insurer that we were denied coverage again. This was not unexpected, but still difficult news. (read more)
Nine Years - June 9, 2009
I wrote about fences last weekend, nostalgic for some reason about our house. I didn’t realize why, but I do now. Today is the 9th anniversary of our move to Colorado. (read more)
Chris & Andrea with Anita Lustrea & Melinda Schmidt, Midday Connection - June 25, 2009
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
Asking, Seeking, Knocking - July 7, 2009
We looked at a beautiful home last night. Perfect for us. Our lease is up at the end of July. We're scrambling, and have been scrambling to find something we can live in. (read more)
For Everything There Is a Season - July 25, 2009
Yesterday, we signed a lease on a house that has never been lived in. We’re going to rent it for a year while the court proceedings continue for our house in Colorado. (read more)
Family Update - July 28, 2009
Andrea wrote some friends in our old hometown to give them an update on our progress. It helps us to take a hard look at our situation. And it shows our progress. I thought you might like to peek over our shoulder and take a look at what we've told to friends who have been so dear to us. (read more)
Chris & Andrea with Anita Lustrea & Melinda Schmidt, Midday Connection - August 11, 2009
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
The Move - August 16, 2009
I don’t know of any experience more exhausting or rewarding than moving from one place to another. I don’t envy people in the military who move every year or two. This is not how God made us, but this is where He has us, moving from one camp to another. (read more)
Ugh - September 11, 2009
Yesterday our worst fears were realized. The mold plates we put in the new house we had lived in for less than a month have come back positive. Our doctor said there must be remediation in the home or that we should vacate. (read more)
The Best Weapon - September 14, 2009
In our last thrilling installment of the Fabry Mold Mystery, we learned that the Fabrys were in mortal danger, spiraling downward toward another home disaster, sure that they were again hounded by the evil Mold Monster! (read more)
Test Results - September 15, 2009
We received the news about the new house, the elevated mold levels, and whether we will have to vacate this present home…. cue drumroll… (read more)
It's Not About Us Anymore - September 23, 2009
Our landlord sent us a lease termination letter. I don’t think this is legal. I've tried to be nice and sent them a letter explaining why we needed the mold test, but they say if I don't sign a lien, we're out. (read more)
Withdrawn - September 25, 2009
I've never much liked the word, "withdrawn." It sounds elusive, exclusive, and is used to describe someone who is not social. But yesterday I came to love the word. (read more)
One Year Ago - October 5, 2009
Oh, the difference a year can make. If you had told me last year in July or even in September that our family would leave our home, lose most of our worldly possessions, and live in five different houses in two states, I would have said you were crazy. No way. Can’t happen. (read more)
Fabry Update - November 13, 2009
Yesterday, Kevin Leman was here for the program, and in the breaks he was asking about the children that he passed when he walked through our rental house here at the Cactus Compound and Detox Center. “So, what’s the prognosis?” (read more)
CBN News Story - December 9, 2009
Heather Sells and a CBN News crew came to our house in September and videotaped this story about our family. It’s a six-minute piece that tries to encapsulate our lives in the last three years. We’re hoping it will reach more people who need to see it.
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
The Drive - April 23, 2010
There’s something about driving a long distance alone that really helps me relax and get ready for the next thing, whatever that is. I have a feeling there are some good and bad things ahead for our family and I’m trying to take them as they come. (read more)
Permanent - May 24, 2010
I did something today I never thought I would do. The thought never entered my mind. Almost ten years ago, our family moved into what we felt was a castle and we set down roots as far as the rocky soil of Colorado would allow. (read more)
